Oral Hygiene | Choosing the Best Toothbrush For Your Oral Health

When choosing a new toothbrush, the rules are simple, but the results are extensive.

When we were young we were taught to brush our teeth to prevent cavities. Routine dental checkups promised a thorough cleaning, and a how-well-we-are-brushing progress report that no amount of pre-appointment brushing seemed to remedy.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush | Leads to Better Oral Health

Choosing the best toothbrush for your teeth and gums is simple

As we age, brushing our teeth is as important as ever, and the kind of toothbrush we use can play a big role in how clean our teeth and gums really are—which effects not just oral health but overall health. You can read more about the health benefits of oral hygiene in our previous post, “How Oral Hygiene Can Prevent Heart Disease“. Contrary to popular belief, the type of toothbrush we use should not be left to preference. Though oral hygiene aisles can be daunting, knowing which toothbrush to invest in doesn’t have to be. When choosing a new toothbrush, the rules are simple, but the results are significant.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush | The Bristle Breakdown

Soft Bristles promote healthier teeth and gums

In their article, “How to select a toothbrush”, Delta Dental explains that the toothbrush we use daily should have soft bristles. According to the article, anything harder than that may cause gum tissue to be pulled back from teeth which could lead to exposed roots—making your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures or certain foods.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush | Get a Handle on It

Better brushing depends on the size of the toothbrush head and length of handle

WebMD says in their article, “Oral Care”, that adults should select a toothbrush head that will allow enable them to access all of your teeth’s surfaces easily. They go on to say that large toothbrush heads may prove more difficult when trying to clean harder to reach areas toward the sides and back of the mouth. WebMD also suggests choosing a toothbrush with a handle long enough to achieve maximum reach and hand comfort.